How to Enable Windows 11 ‘Kiosk Mode’ (Assigned Access for Public PCs)

If you need to set up a Windows computer in a public space—such as a digital signage display in a lobby, a customer survey terminal in a store, or a secure testing station in a school—you cannot simply leave a standard Windows desktop exposed. Users could easily browse your hard drive, launch other applications, or accidentally break the system.

To secure a public terminal, you must use a feature called “Assigned Access,” commonly known as Kiosk Mode. This built-in Windows 11 feature allows you to lock the entire computer down to a single, full-screen application. The Start menu, taskbar, keyboard shortcuts, and file explorer are completely disabled, trapping the user inside the designated app.

How to Enable Kiosk Mode (Assigned Access) in Windows 11

You can configure a Kiosk account directly from the main Settings app. Note: This requires Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.

1. Click the Start button and select the gear icon to open Settings.
2. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Accounts.
3. Under the “Account settings” section, click on Other users.
4. Scroll down to the “Set up a kiosk” section and click the Get started button.
5. A blue dialog box will appear. Type a name for your new Kiosk user account (e.g., “Lobby Display” or “Survey Terminal”) and click Next.
6. A list of installed applications will appear. Select the single application you want the public to use (for example, Microsoft Edge, to display a specific website) and click Next.
7. If you selected Edge, you will be asked how it should behave (e.g., as a digital sign or a public browser). Choose your preferred mode and enter the specific URL you want it to lock onto. Click Next.
8. Review your settings and click Close.

To activate the Kiosk, click the Start menu, click your user profile picture, and select Sign out. On the lock screen, select your new Kiosk account (e.g., “Lobby Display”) from the bottom-left corner and sign in. The computer will immediately launch the designated app in full-screen mode, completely hiding the rest of the Windows operating system. To escape Kiosk mode, you must press Ctrl + Alt + Del to force a sign-out screen.